Transfer gossip (Tues, Jan 26): Owls, Leeds, Boro, Hull and Town step up hunt

Sheffield Wednesday could renew their interest in Alan Judge after Brentford head coach Dean Smith admitted he could leave before the transfer window closes.

Wednesday had an approach rejected soon after the January window opened and remain interested in the 27-year-old playmaker, who has scored 12 times this season and is hoping for a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for this summer’s European Championships.

Smith said: “It’s very hard to know what’s going to happen. Everyone has a value and if that value is met then it’s very difficult to say ‘no’ to. But we want to keep him here.”

The Owls and Leeds United are also keen on Aiden McGeady, whom Everton chief Roberto Martinez says can leave for the right “football proposition”.

Wednesday are also interested in Brentford defender James Tarkowski, along with Burnley.

Middlesbrough’s sights are now set to turn to securing the services of Ross McCormack after bringing in Southampton winger Gaston Ramirez on loan for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old, who had a low-key loan spell on loan at Hull City last term, joins up with fellow Uruguayans Cristhian Stuani and Carlos de Pena, with his arrival possibly the prelude to the exit of Diego Fabbrini.

Birmingham City are keen on signing the Italian, who joined Boro on a season-long loan in the summer, permenantly and who could now return to the Hornets.

Boro’s priority is now sealing a deal for Fulham’s McCormack, who is keen to leave for Teesside.

McCormack was left out of Fulham’s squad that were beaten by Hull City on Saturday due to “illness” but Fulham chief Slavisa Jokanovic insisted the club are under no pressure to sell, despite being under a transfer embargo.

Title-chasing Boro chief Aitor Karanka remains tight-lipped on a link to the striker but admits he wants new additions after two successive defeats.

They could also be back in, along with title rivals Hull City, with a loan move for Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford.

The 22-year-old had a barren loan spell at Crystal Palace earlier this season, failing to score in nine games, but he netted 19 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Boro last season.

Bamford joined Chelsea in January 2012 from Nottingham Forest for £1.5 but has yet to make an appearance for them.

Meanwhile, young Tigers striker Greg Luer is set to be farmed out on loan shortly, with a host of lower-league clubs linked.

Greg Luer has been on the cusp of the first-team this season having been snapped up from non-league side Burgess Hill Town a year ago.

Luer, following his arrival, was loaned to Port Vale with him now being linked with Scunthorpe, Oxford and Stevenage, although there is no official interest yet.

Feyenoord youth product Wolves winger or striker Rajiv van La Parra is on the radar of Huddersfield Town.

The Dutchman, 24, has been in and out of Kenny Jackett’s side this season, and had a six-game loan spell at Brighton and Hove Albion. He featured in Wolves’ 1-1 draw at QPR on Saturday.

He has made 38 starts and played 14 times as a substitute for Wolves.

Eric Black has left his post as assistant manager at Rotherham United to take up a similar job at Aston Villa.

Brentford are interested in signing Huddersfield Town loanee Jamie Paterson from Nottingham Forest on a full-time basis.

Paterson has impressed in hitting five goals in twenty appearances for Town, with the player currently set to spend the rest of the season in West Yorkshire due to the terms of his loan.

It means Brentford’s task to sign him will be complicated, with Town also having first option to match any bid that Forest accept for the winger.